Crime Rise in L.A. Sparks Rush for Bullet-Proof Cars, Armed Drivers The Hollywood Reporter
According to the LAPD, nonviolent property crimes, including burglary and car theft are up slightly (3.7 percent) from last year, and down 5.8 percent from 2019. However, violent crime a category that includes homicide, robbery and aggravated assault is up 6.2 percent so far this year and up 4.4 percent compared to 2019. Robbery itself is up 5.2 percent from this time last year, though down 12.7 percent compared to 2019. Homicide is up 13 percent since last year and a dramatic 52.2 percent compared to 2019. In Beverly Hills, total violent crimes are up 25 percent over the past 12 months, according to the city s police department.
According to agencies who provide private security as well as others who work with Hollywood s A-List (including an estate manager, a business manager and a top Beverly Hills real estate agent) clients are seeing the headlines and taking increased precautions.
Almost immediately after the Avant shooting, it s been crazy busy. We have increased operations in that [Trousdale Estates] area tremendously, says Aaron Jones, president and CEO of Malibu-based International Protective Security, which caters to upscale neighborhoods throughout greater L.A. I have a lot of regular VIPs; when people call, I get on the phone with them. We understand the urgency of what s going on. It s nonstop. People are looking for individual plans and co-op plans, where we provide security to a group of houses in a neighborhood. Business has quadrupled.